Matthew Denchel stands in front of his completed Eagle Scout project at Legion Park in Grandview. Matthew added five flags to the existing American Legion memorial to represent America’s armed forces. PHOTO BY ELECIA COPENHAVER

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Benton REA’s Birthday Party PAGE 4 n New Electric Vehicle Program PAGE 25

Benton REA

Matthew Denchel, a Sunnyside High School senior, has been a part of the Boy Scouts of America since he was about 6 years old, and days before his 18th birthday he had finished the culminat-ing project of his Boy Scouts membership-his Eagle Scout Service Project.

“Eagle Scout is the high-est rank you can achieve,” Matthew said. “It’s something that you’re just there forever. It’s an honorary thing.”

The Eagle Scout Service Project is the culmination of the leadership training pro-gram that Boy Scouts across America go through and is

Matthew Denchel used his Eagle Scout project as a way to express his appreciation to the veterans of Grandview with the help of local businesses.

Photos by Elecia Copenhaver

Matthew Denchel and his brothers, Nicholas and Chris, have made an impact in the Grandview community with their Eagle Scout Service Projects. Above, Matthew stands in front of the five flags he added to his brother Nicholas's Legion Park sign. Nicholas also had the Gold Star Mothers memorial placed at the park. Oldest brother, Chris, put in place the mile markers between Grandview and Prosser.

By Taylor Beightol

Eagle Scout Honors Veterans

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a requirement to become an Eagle Scout. The main criteria for a project to be approved, according to the Boy Scouts of America, is that it must demonstrate lead-ership.

Matthew demonstrated his leadership abilities by erecting five flag poles, each representing a branch of the United States Armed Forces, in the Grandview American Legion Park.

Following in his older brothers’ footsteps, Matthew’s project was the third addi-tion to the American Legion Park. His brother, Nicholas, created a sign designat-ing the park and created a decorative rock forma-tion honoring Grandview's Gold Star Mothers in 2011. Chris, the oldest of the broth-ers, put the mile markers in place between Prosser and Grandview for his project in 2007.

“It was my own choice to do my project for the American Legion,” Matthew said in regards to his and his brothers’ project choices. “I wanted to represent veter-ans as a whole. We didn’t really plan to have it all based around the same thing.”

The flag poles were all refurbished light poles from the City of Grandview, which had been taken down a couple of years ago to be replaced with more historic looking lights. Juan Moreno, City of Grandview foreman, helped Matthew throughout the whole project, but was especially helpful with the beautifying of the poles.

It was important to Matthew that his project rep-resented Grandview and he

wanted everyone to know that, “we respect the vets, we welcome them, we want to honor them.” He wanted to pay tribute to each of the branches of the military and knew that there were at least a few veterans representing each branch in Grandview.

Matthew sought out help from local businesses to com-plete the project of preparing the land and refurbishing the poles. The businesses includ-ed Ace Hardware, American Legion Post 4 of Kennewick, Central Pre-Mix, D.C. Concrete and Finishing, Dion Built Trailers, Grandview Lumber, Huber Bros., Lower Valley Machine Shop and Star Rental of Yakima.

These 25-foot poles were not something that Matthew could put up alone, so that’s

when he called Benton REA for some assistance. In about two-hours Matthew, along with his father, Dan Denchel, three Benton REA linemen, Chad Smith, Roman Cortes and Gary Stone, and a Benton REA serviceman, Rich Johnson, had raised the poles.

Although the poles are in place and the project was technically completed just in time for Matthew’s 18th birthday, he still has to go in this spring and clean up the landscaping. “It has been a really long winter. That’s one of the things that kept me going from finishing a month early, to a couple days before my birthday. It’s one thing I didn’t count on.”

Matthew stressed that it was important to get the proj-ect done before his birthday because once a boy turns 18 he is no longer considered a Boy Scout because he is a legal adult. “Your 18th birth-day is the breaking point of when you have to get all of that done.”

Matthew is hoping to graduate this spring not only from Sunnyside High School,

but also with his Associate’s Degree from Yakima Valley Community College in Grandview. From there he is looking to attend a four-year university to study engineer-ing.

Aside from Boy Scouts, Matthew is also involved in golf, played football for two years and participated in Boys State through the American Legion.

Boy Scouts has pre-pared Matthew for adult life through merit badge require-ments such as managing his own budget and creating his own workout schedule. “Boy Scouts teaches you skills you should be learning even after you’re an adult. It really helps you prepare for your life.” ■

Benton REA

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Benton REA

Scott Fisher will represent the new Benton REA District 6 for a three-year term.

Scott and his Wife, Mary, live south-west of Prosser on what he calls their “postcard stamp vineyard”. He grew up in Grandview and after spending 10 years on “the west side”, chose to move back to the valley. He likes the lifestyle and pace in the valley and especially the opportunities to farm, something he says he could probably not do on “the west side”.

Scott currently serves as the special education director as well as the state and federal programs director for the Mabton School District. He is a career educa-tor having earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, his master’s degree in mental health counsel-ing from Western Washington University and his school psychology credentials from Central Washington University.

He is looking forward to learning more about the utility industry so that he can be effective in his roll on the Board of Trustees.

“We’re at an interesting point in power. The conversations around alternative power are fascinating to me,” he stated.

As a member since 1994, Scott said he’s always had nice experiences with Benton REA. When asked why he chose to run for District 6 Trustee he said, “I just want to make sure our area is repre-sented well.” ■

Scott Fisher Is New District 6 Trustee

At a special board meeting on Dec. 6, 2016, the Benton REA Board of Trustees took action to reduce the number of Benton REA Board of Trustee Districts from nine to a total of eight to become effective on Feb. 15, 2017. The board voted to combine the residual portions of Trustee Districts 6 and 9 that were remaining after the sale of the Benton REA electrical facilities located on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation to Yakama Power.

The new District 6 now encompasses the Mabton area east of the Yakama

Reservation and south to the Columbia River as well as the Rimrock area and services along White Pass.

Through mail-in, online and in-person voting at Benton REA’s 80th Annual Meeting on Feb. 11, 2017, members elected Scott Fisher to rep-resent District 6 as it existed on Feb. 11.

On Feb. 22, at the regular board meeting, the Benton REA Board of Trustees appointed Scott Fisher to the new District 6 trustee position on the Benton REA Board of Trustees for a term of three years. ■

Trustees Redistrict, Appoint New Trustee

You’re Invited To A Birthday Party! Your cooperative is turning 80 and you’re invited to a birthday celebration!

You may visit either Benton REA office, in Prosser or West Richland, on Wed., April 19, to enjoy cake and coffee (served until it is gone) and receive a gift from Benton REA.

On April 19, 1937, the very first Benton REA Board of Trustees signed the Articles of Incorporation, making Benton REA the oldest operating consumer-owned utility serving Benton and Yakima counties.

Today, more than 10,000 business and residential members receive electricity from Benton REA in three counties.

Benton REA would like to thank all our members for letting us serve you these past 80 years. ■

Join us on our birthdayApril 19th

Cake - Coffee - Gift for Every Member

Prosser Office 402 7th St.

Open 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

West Richland Office 6095 W. Van Giesen St.

Open 8 a.m. - Noon; 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

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Benton REA

NEW! Residential Electric Vehicle Charging Station Incentive & LoanIf you are in the market for an electric vehicle, consider Benton REA’s new incentive and loan options for purchas-ing a faster, Level 2, smart in-home charging station.

The Level 2 (240 Volt) smart charging station charges an electric vehicle in 8-10 hours as opposed to the 24 hours it takes a Level 1 charging station.

“The smart part of it means it can be programmed to charge at a certain time of day or night—in our case, after 10 p.m.,” says Ron Mitchell, Benton REA’s electrical advisor. By charging your elec-tric vehicle after 10 p.m., this guarantees that the electricity used will take place during the non-peak hours of the day. By participating in this program, as well as taking simple steps to decrease your

electric use during peak hours, mem-bers can help keep the cooperative’s costs down.

Members may be eligible for both the electric vehicle charging station incentive and loan. Review these requirements for more details.

$300 Incentive Requirements:• Must be a residential Benton REA member who owns the residence• Must purchase and install a residential Level 2 (240-volt) smart charging station for your all-electric vehicle—Hybrid vehicles do not apply• Set the charging delay to a time determined by Benton REA (such as 10 p.m.)

Loan Terms (Up to $2,000):• Recipient must be a Benton REA member in good standing with no more than one delinquent payment• Must meet all requirements of the electric vehicle charging station incentive (see $300 Incentive Requirements at left)• Agree to a 3% interest rate• Agree to a five year, non-transferable loan• The member’s electric service will be used as collateral on the loan

Members are encouraged to speak with Ron Mitchell before applying for the electric vehicle smart charging sta-tion incentive and/or loan. Applications are available by calling 509-786-8265 or emailing rmitchell@bentonrea.org. ■

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Benton REA

The career of an electric lineman is not for the weak. It requires endurance through the long-hours and inclement weather. It requires bravery and a desire to serve others. Yet, many choose to make it their life-long career. And as a result, the next generation followed.

Benton REA’s Brian Bunger, Jeff Brown and Dan Cochran each followed in the boot steps of their fathers. Keep reading to learn about their fathers’ careers and their own decisions to con-tinue on the path of electricity.

Brian Bunger and Father, Jack BungerOne of Brian Bunger’s earliest memo-ries of his father, Jack, involved the kind of boots Brian wears today as a Benton REA serviceman.

“I remember [my dad] coming home wearing really tall linemen boots. They were pretty big when you were only five years old,” said Brian Bunger.

Jack was not surprised when his son decided to follow in his career path, as he himself followed the footsteps of his own

father-in-law. At 18 years old, Jack was drafted into

the Army. When he returned from World War II, he began to work at Kittitas County PUD where his father-in-law, Aub Hart, was a foreman. After a few years in Ellensburg, he heard of a job opportunity with Benton REA. He and his wife, Patricia, moved to Toppenish in 1952 where Jack’s 25-years with the REA began.

Jack began as a groundman and liter-ally climbed his way to the position of lineman. Linemen’s trucks did not come equipped with buckets in the 1950s, and many utilities made do with spikes and climbing gear.

Climbing was not an easy skill at first, but after practicing on his home-made climbing pole Jack had installed in their yard, he mastered the technique. His linemen’s gear came in handy for other tasks as well.

“I remember watching dad climb the yard poles to fix lights. I thought that was pretty cool.”

So cool, in fact, that Brian decided to learn how to do it himself. Brian was hired at Benton REA as a groundman in

1977, the same year Jack retired. And just like his dad, he began as a ground-man.

“Dad told me, ‘If you want to work with your hands, line work is one of the best’”. This year will be Brian’s 40th year at Benton REA.

Left - Brian Bunger stands with his father, Jack, in his parents’ home in Zillah.

Above - Jack Bunger hangs from the home-made pole he built to practice climbing in his early career as an electric lineman.

Walking In Their Fathers’ Boots

Jeff Brown laces his boots in preparation for another day as a Benton REA lineman.

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Jeff Brown and Father, Earl BrownJeff Brown moved to Washington state when he was just three years old. His father, Earl, was an electric lineman for RSR Electric Cooperative (now Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative) in south-eastern North Dakota. When a job opportunity arose in Prosser, the family packed up and moved west. During his time at Benton REA, from 1956-1978, Earl earned the position of foreman and retired with that title.

Jeff didn’t always want to enter the utility industry. He graduated with a physical education degree from Central Washington University with a plan to teach. It was his father’s recommenda-tion letter that opened the doors for Jeff ’s career at Benton REA. He began as a groundman in 1979 and has since held several positions with the cooperative. Today he is the meter foreman.

In 1980, when Jeff was just two years into his new job, Earl passed away from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was just 54-years-old.

Jeff has many memories of riding along with his father on outage calls after hours and on weekends. The summer of 1964 was special to Jeff because he

spent a week at White Pass watching his father’s crew build electric lines to the ski lift summit.

After 38 years with Benton REA, Jeff does not regret his choice to follow in his father’s boot steps.

Dan Cochran and Father, Roger CochranRoger Cochran always had hope that one of his children would choose to become a lineman like himself. He even kept his climbing tools until recently when he gave them to his son, Dan.

Although Dan does not use them in his daily job as a field engineer for Benton REA, they remind him of his

heritage. Roger’s 4-H leader, Everett Metlock,

was a serviceman in West Richland and also his inspiration to pursue a career in the electric industry.

In 1964, Roger was hired as an apprentice lineman to work out of Benton REA’s Toppenish office. Everett’s efforts to teach electricity came full circle when Roger transferred to Benton REA’s West Richland office to take over Everett’s role as serviceman.

In 1973, after nine years with Benton REA, Roger left to become an electri-cal contractor. Today, he pastors Trinity Baptist Church in La Grande, Oregon.

Dan recalled, “My earliest memories consist of my dad lacing up his tall boots, and I needed to have boots like that so I could do what he did. I was maybe four years old.”

He said he always wanted to be like his dad, but didn’t necessarily want to work for Benton REA. It wasn’t until 2006 when he saw an opening at Benton REA that he thought, “How cool would that be?”

Dan has four children and says they all can do simple electrical wiring. When they want to learn more, he says he’ll make sure those doors are open for them like they were for him. ■

Earl Brown, pictured left and above on his Benton REA identification card above, served 22 years as an electric lineman for Benton REA.

Roger Cochran, left, is pictured during his time as a Benton REA serviceman in West Richland. His son, Dan Cochran, has worked for Benton REA since 2006 and is currently a staking engineer.

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Board of TrusteesMichael Freepons, President, District 2

Connie Krull, Vice President, District 7

Mark Platt, Secretary/Treasurer, District 4

Buddy Treadway, District 1

Bob Evans, District 3

Tim Grow, District 5

Scott Fisher, District 6

Catherine Russell, District 8

Board MeetingsThe Board of Trustees meets the last Wednesday

of each month at 6 p.m.

General ManagerMichael J. Bradshaw

Management StaffDerek Miller, Engineering Manager

John Porter, Manager of Finance and Administration

Jeff Ekrut, Operations Manager

Jeff Bastow, I.T. Manager

Troy Berglund, Member Services Manager

Terry Mundorf, Attorney

HDR, Consulting Engineer

Blodgett, Mickelsen & Adamson, Auditor

Prosser Office 402 7th St., P.O. Box 1150Prosser, WA 99350Phone: 509-786-2913Fax: 509-786-0291

WA-7

Benton REAWA-7

Manager’s Message

You’re Invited To Our Birthday Party!

Dear Members,

April is a special month for Benton REA. In April, the weather has turned for the better and the hills surrounding us are a beautiful green. The summer heat hasn’t hit us yet and the days are getting longer.

We especially enjoy April because each year Benton REA has a birthday, and this month Benton REA will turn 80 years old! On April 19th, 1937, the very first Benton REA Board of Trustees signed the Articles of Incorporation, making Benton REA the oldest operating consumer-owned utility serving Benton and Yakima counties.

It is important to celebrate the 80th birthday of your Association, because we should all be proud of that special date in Benton REA’s history when it all began with some very dedicated people that made it happen. It reminds us of where we came from, and that is important. It reminds us that we were created by our members and that we’ve been able to exist and provide you with needed programs and services for 80 years because of you—our members.

In honor of that, I’d like to invite you to Benton REA’s birthday party on April 19th at Benton REA’s offices in Prosser and West Richland. We’ll be serving birthday cake and coffee all day (until it’s gone) and presenting a gift to every member who visits.

We don’t think of our birthday as getting one more year older, we think of it as having the honor to serve you for one more year with energy and technology services that greatly enhance your quality of life. We look forward to many more years of doing the same.

So please, feel free to drop by and celebrate with us on April 19th! Happy birthday, Benton REA!

Sincerely,

Michael J. Bradshaw, General Managermikeb@bentonrea.org

West Richland Office6095 W. Van GiesenWest Richland, WA 99353Phone: 509-967-2921

Report an Outage: 509-786-2913Toll Free: 800-221-6987

www.BentonREA.org

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